This special post was written by a good friend of mine, Ashok Karra. He also runs a great blog, so check it out here (make sure to hit up the linked movie titles to read more)!
Recently I was flipping around and saw “The Dark Knight” on HBO. Even though I’ve seen the movie about a billion times now, I found myself listening to every word and watching every scene carefully, as if my life depended on it. (What I discovered this time out – the discussion b/w Lucius Fox and the mob accountant atop the latter’s building is about “chance” as a mask. Bruce Wayne only “accidentally” wastes the accountant’s time to capture him later).
(Make sure to list your top 5 rewatchable movie in the comment section.)
So I was wondering what other movies work the same way. Here’s my top 5 —
1. Stardust Memories –
When Woody Allen was at the top of his game. Every single thing counts in this movie, but it is so easy to get “distracted” by the beautiful, crazy women the protagonist is involved with. The main theme seems to be about a Creator and Creation: if a film director can’t truly be loved by the cast of the story he put in motion, how could God be loved?
2. The Departed –
It’s easy to imagine things happening in this movie that didn’t actually happen. Given what happens when the elevator descends later, you wonder if Matt Damon and DiCaprio took an elevator up to see Martin Sheen’s character the first time each met him. You also wonder about how exactly the young Matt Damon addressed Jack Nicholson when he first saw him, maybe with an “okay.” The symbolism of the movie is rich but complex; there aren’t any easy answers when evil seems so effective.
3. Manhattan –
I think this whole movie was just an excuse to take black and white shots of New York and put them in motion. It works; the effect is hypnotic.
4. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan –
Yes, it’s famous because William Shatner yells Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. But he’s badass in this movie: as weird as it sounds, you wish you could be him. He’s cool under fire and trusts in his ability to outsmart opponents. It’s weird running into a hero that trusts in his ability to learn more than any skill or power, but that’s Kirk. Again, every bit of dialogue matters: there are a lot of themes thrown at the viewer in the beginning that only come together as the movie unfolds. Perhaps there are so many themes that Star Trek III is a necessary sequel to this.
5. Bullitt –
It’s just awesome watching Steve McQueen kill bad guys all over San Francisco. The visuals are rich, and the famous car chase never fails to lack tension.
There are plenty more movies, but I’m interested in hearing your lists. So just drop a comment in the comment section. Can’t wait to hear from you soon!
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